Oral Cancer Surgery: Restoring Function, Confidence, and Quality of Life
Dr Amit Chakraborty
Many oral cancer patients are advised to undergo surgery to improve their quality of life. Advances in reconstructive surgery are helping many oral cancer patients regain facial appearance, confidence, and essential functions, including speaking and eating, after treatment. Hence, patients shouldn’t hesitate to undergo surgery. They should consult the treating doctor, who will guide them accordingly.
Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers seen in people across India. It usually begins in the mouth, tongue, gums, cheeks, or even the throat. The rise in oral cancer cases is strongly linked to tobacco use, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, and infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Understanding Oral Cancer and Its Impact
The symptoms in patients may include a non-healing mouth ulcer, persistent pain, difficulty swallowing, loose teeth, bleeding, or a lump in the mouth or neck. These signs require timely attention from an expert. When oral cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage, most patients are advised to undergo surgery to remove the tumour and surrounding tissues.
While this surgery can be life-saving, many people believe it may compromise facial appearance, speech, chewing, and swallowing, depending on the size and location of the tumour. There are several myths linked to surgery, including the belief that it permanently alters facial appearance. However, it is time to bust this myth. Surgery is a safe and effective option for oral cancer patients and can improve quality of life while also restoring both appearance and function.
Why is surgery important for patients?
If you have been diagnosed with oral cancer, you may worry about losing your facial appearance after major surgery. However, advances in reconstructive surgery now make it possible to restore both appearance and function.
Specialists use tissue, skin, muscle, or bone from other parts of the body. They use it to rebuild affected areas of the face, jaw, tongue, or mouth.
The last word
Dr Amit Chakraborty, Head and Neck Surgeon, SSO Hospital Mumbai
